What’s in store for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival next February? More interactive art. Live graffiti artists at work. Live culinary competitions pitting Grove chefs against their counterparts from other South Florida communities. A beefed-up family day with lots of art-related activities.
“Art is an ever-expanding universe,” says Monty Trainer, CGAF president. “So we are broadening our scope as well.”
Held every Presidents’ Day Weekend, the three-day event is considered one of the nation’s premier arts festivals, showcasing works from more than 360 internationally-recognized and jury-selected artists throughout McFarlane and Bayshore Drive and at Peacock and Regatta parks. Because of the COVID pandemic, the festival didn’t take place in 2021, but for 2022, city officials have approved a full-capacity festival. Planners are expecting a big response from artists.
“We will have areas with display exhibits with large-scale murals and sculptures,” says Camille Marchese, artist coordinator for CGAF. "Let's call it Covid-lag. We have been overwhelmed with inquiries and expect a record number of artists to apply when we open our application process in July.“
CGAF has hired EngageLive! to produce the event and handle logistics, coordination and marketing. EngageLive!’s Tony Albelo, who brought Grovetoberfest and other major events to Coconut Grove, says they’re making some fun tweaks to the festival.
The culinary stage, which will move to Peacock Park, will feature Grove Vs. competitions all weekend. For example, “Grove chefs will compete again Brickell and other cities for the best taco or burger,” Albelo says. The action will be captured on a big LED screen with color commentary.
Also in Peacock Park will be a a pyramid of shipping containers that will be painted by top graffiti artists as a live performance art demonstration. “There’s a stronger focus on creating and taking home art,” he says.
For aficionados, the new Red Dot VIP program will give ticketholders access to an air-conditioned area and full bar. The $300 ticket price includes a $200 credit toward art purchases that will entice them to buy art.
Dates for the festival are Feb. 19-21, 2022. Tickets for the public are $19, with resident specials and family packages available. Sales start on Black Friday. For more information, visit cgaf.com
Celebrating its 54th anniversary, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Feb. 18-20 is stepping up its culinary arts program...
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